Mitutoyo Quadra-Chek 2000

Optical Comparator and Measuring Microscope

Since the early 1900s, people in science and industry have been using a variety of optical measuring and inspection techniques to get an enhanced view of their products for research and development (R&D). The techniques, which enable users to observe, measure and analyze parts for quality control purposes, have moved out of their original homes in manufacturing environments and into the laboratory.

R&D facilities usually have to employ both inspection and measurement in evaluating samples. The two evaluative methods give quite different information. Inspection is designed to answer qualitative questions, such as "Is this flat enough?" or "Are there too many pits in this tool?" or "Do the grain and color of this sample look right?" or "Is this contaminated?" Measurement is designed to answer quantitative questions, such as "How long is this piece?" or "What is the thread pitch of this screw?" or "How deep is this hole?" or "How far apart are the centers of these grooves?" Some questions probe for information that can be considered semi-quantitative, such as "Does this match my overlay?" or "Does this line up at the right place?"

Many R&D environments use measurement tools to get quantitative information for developing engineering prototypes or final production-line products or evaluating defects in existing materials or products. In life-science R&D labs, measurement can validate accuracies of diagnostic products or the usability of prosthetic devices.

Optical measuring uses human eyes to compare specific sample features against standards that are set in advance. It's often just one of many evaluative techniques in use in the facility, including various test, inspection and calibration techniques. But it's especially significant because in most R&D environments there's no substitute for visual information in ascertaining future performance potentials for a product or material.